Grill vacuum?

[ccweir]

Any recommendations out there for a good vacuum to clean out the ash/debris from a pellet grill?

[Attjack]

Get one with a metal canister but obviously don't use it until all the embers are well out like at least a day after you think they are.

[MBMorgan]

Just took delivery of THIS small wet/dry shop vac. Haven't used it yet but suction seems adequate and it gets pretty good reviews. It's plastic but I'll never be cleaning the pellet smoker while it's hot.

I had no luck with a small conventional vacuum because the fine ashes immediately clogged the filter. I'm hoping that a shop vac will fare better. I'm even thinking I might line it with foil to make cleaning it out easier.

EDIT: Just gave the little shop vac a try at getting all the ash out of my Grilla ... and it performed flawlessly.

[Spinaker]

I like to use my M18 Wet/Dry Vac from Milwaukee. It works great for getting all the ash out of my kamados. I take out the KAB give it a good shake and the vac takes care of the rest. Some of the bigger pieces do get caught in hose, but I try to avoid sucking those up.

All in all it makes my work space really clean, and I love it. It also works great around the kitchen to suck up rubs and spices that might spill during prep time.

[Attjack]

If you search for "grill vacuum" you get some option on Amazon like this one.




​​​​​​​


https://www.amazon.com/TACKLIFE-Cani...s=grill+vacuum

[ccweir]

That's an awesome vacuum! How's it worked for you?

[Attjack]

I don't own one, ccweir. I was just browsing. I would like to get something like this at some point though.

[Attjack]

I might have to get one. Thanks for MCSing me!

[THE Humble Texan]

Any vac will to as long as you cook today and vac tomorrow.

[Troutman]

Wise observation old Humble one !!!

[JoeSousa]

I'm gonna need a good vac soon. I love cooking on my Ranch kettle but it is a pain to clean and get all the ash out.

[NapMaster]

If you look around at Shop-Vac or Rigid brand wet-dry vacuums, you should be able to find bags and/or filters that are either HEPA filtered or made to collect fire place ash. You could then have a wet/dry vac for multiple uses. I have a huge one that I use in my shop. Very handy tool to have around. Ash in your pits or in your fireplace is very fine and typical bags will not catch all of it. You end up blowing fine dust all over the place. Works good on a cat to get all that loose fur, if you can get the cat to hold still.

Any excuse to purchase a new tool is good enough for me.

[MBMorgan]

Ha! Our cat hates to be vacuumed but loves those sticky-roller lint removers.

[ssandy_561]

Our two Pugs also hate the vacuum also but love to be lint rolled.

[ccweir]

Yeah, I've already got a wet/dry vac, but I didn't want to use something for the grill that I use for cleaning vehicles and siphoning my pond out. I used an old Shark upright for a while, but it was hard to get in the smaller spaces.

[Pequod]

I have this one. It sucks.

https://www.amazon.com/PowerSmith-PAVC101-Amp-Ash-Vacuum/dp/B0060EUA32/ref=sr_1_4?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1551131538&sr=1-4&keywords=ash+vacuum

[Spinaker]

So don't get this one.

[Timbo54]

I just got the PowerSmith last month. It works really good. My only complaint is the hose is a little short. My shop vacuums filters got clogged easily and then start blowing dust everywhere.

Thanks Pequod . Sorry for your daughters mishap. I do have another shop vac hose that will work.

[Pequod]

Timbo54 -- You can get a longer hose for it. I found this out after my daughter used it and crushed the original hose.

[Troutman]

My dad died in 1988. Prior to that he was retired and always dreamed of having his own wood shop. He finally got what he wanted but sadly died within 5 years of cancer. So I was subsequently given his tools. Most of the large table saws, etc. I sold but kept the hand tools. I also kept a Sears Craftsman wet/dry vac. I've had that thing ever since. I use it regularly for its intended purpose including vacuuming pellet dust from my cooker. Heck, I have never even changed the filter, I just blow it clean every once in a while. Bottom line, get a cheap wet/dry vac, don't spend a bunch of money it's not worth it, unless of course you are OCD.

Now for sucking pellets out of my hopper, yea no dump in mine, I went and bought a cheap bucket head vacuum from Home Depot on sale for $13. It fits onto one of their orange buckets. Works like a champ.

So, in conclusion, I have spent a grand total of $13 for two vacuums that serve my purpose just fine. Be wise and frugal Padawan....

[AmosMoses01]

My Dad had one of the great Sears Craftsman wet/dry vacs, circa early 80's. Probably 50 gallons or so, would pick up anything you threw at it, and just like you we never had to buy a new filter... They don't make things like they used to, that's for sure. What did his in was 35 feet of water from Katrina, not any normal wear and tear.

[Troutman]

Sorry for your loss

[aladdin4d]

Add a cyclone to your choice of wet/dry vac



A real dust deputy runs 50 bucks or so but knock offs are under 20 although I didn't know there was such a thing as Troutman 's bucket head vacuum until now. Given the price of one of those that's probably what I would get now.

[Donw]

Bucket top vacuum and a Homer bucket from Home Depot. Use it to clean out the ashes into one bucket. Also use to remove unused pellets from the bin back into another bucket.

[ccweir]

I came across this Dust Buster rip-off for $34 at Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1). It has a hose and a small nozzle attachment that lets me get in the tight places. Since I'm just using it for my pellet smoker, there isn't a lot of dust and no large objects to worry about. Works great!

Thanks for all the suggestions!

[klflowers]

Slightly (OK, wildly) off topic, but a couple of years ago I had my knees replaced. Right before they put me under, a guy came in to shave my knees. He used a dust buster to vacuum up the hair. An old dust buster. Probably one of the first ones made. They had already started the anesthesia or I might have run screaming.

[ccweir]